Understanding the first resurrection

[ezeason]

Hello,

I have a question about the spirits in prison who accept the gospel. Are they forgiven for the sins the committed on earth??? And if they have had all their proxy work completed, will they be in the first resurrection of the just???

By saying “Yes” to both are we validating the “eat, drink and be marry” believers who say GOD will forgive them in the next life?

OR, will only the ones who are “honorable men” (DC 76:75) that will come forth?

OR, resurrected in due time?

I’m asking with the thought that the 1000 years is for the righteous, who have overcome temptations of the devil, and are given this time to overcome personal weaknesses.

Also, can the resurrected individuals repent for prior transgression before the judgment?

Thx

[bytebear]

Not so. We are the same people in death that we were in life. If we would have repented in life, but were never given the chance, we will be forgiven. Those that "eat, drink and be merry" will be judged accordingly. Judgment will be fair for all.

[ezeason]

So you are saying that the individuals who are in the first resurrection are already judged?

[bytebear]

So you are saying that the individuals who are in the first resurrection are already judged?

ooh, good point. I would say no, but only because Satan will be loosed for a time at the end of the millennium where we will have our final test. Maybe all the time before is just study time, and that is the final exam.

[BenRaines]

Why would those in the first resurrection have to have been judged? All will resurrect so judgment is not a requirement before resurrection.

Ben Raines

[lilered]

Hello,

I have a question about the spirits in prison who accept the gospel. Are they forgiven for the sins the committed on earth??? And if they have had all their proxy work completed, will they be in the first resurrection of the just???

By saying “Yes” to both are we validating the “eat, drink and be marry” believers who say GOD will forgive them in the next life?

OR, will only the ones who are “honorable men” (DC 76:75) that will come forth?

OR, resurrected in due time?

I’m asking with the thought that the 1000 years is for the righteous, who have overcome temptations of the devil, and are given this time to overcome personal weaknesses.

Also, can the resurrected individuals repent for prior transgression before the judgment?

Thx

When the physical body dies, the spirit continues to live. In the spirit world, the spirits of the righteous "are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow" (Alma 40:12). A place called spirit prison is reserved for "those who [have] died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets" (D&C 138:32). The spirits in prison are "taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and all other principles of the gospel that [are] necessary for them to know" (D&C 138:33–34). If they accept the principles of the gospel, repent of their sins, and accept ordinances performed in their behalf in temples, they will be welcomed into paradise.

Because of the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, physical death is only temporary: "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22). Everyone will be resurrected, meaning that every person's spirit will be reunited with his or her body—"restored to their proper and perfect frame" and no longer subject to death (Alma 40:23; see also Alma 11:44–45).

Hope this helps answer your questions.

[Ezequiel]

judgment comes after the resurrection, and between ressurrection and judgement there is no time for repentance. I like to think that resurrection is like the "probationary finish line" Once it happens there are no more chances.

However, the earlier question you asked if those that repented in the after life, if they could still inherit a celestial glory, and the answer is yes. But only depending to the opportunities they've had in their mortal state. There are those who in the next time will accept the gospel, but will not inherit a celestial glory because they had the chance to accept it here in mortality but didnt.

[Justice]

Alma teaches that there is a "restoration" that happens at resurrection. This restoration consists of restoring good for good and evil for evil. How I view this is that there is a "partial" judgement at resurrection. If you have a penitent heart at death then you will be restored to that penitent heart. If you have a rebellious heart then you will be restored to that rebellious heart. This is a factual way of saying that our spirits respond to a physical body in a certain way, and we either learn to master the physical pleasures or we don't. Whether we do or not will pass with us into the next life, because it is our same spirit faced with the same physical temptations.

It seems as though there is a judgement at resurrection, but I think what you are seeing is this restoration, or in my view "partial judgement" that happens at resurrection. All will stand before God and be judged in their resurrected, immortal state. If you think about it, the term "it's what you become" seems to fit more literally with this understanding.

Read alma 42 slowly and let me know what you think.

[Moksha]

I am curious about this resurrection numbering scheme. Wasn't Jesus' resurrection the first?

By saying “Yes” to both are we validating the “eat, drink and be marry” believers who say GOD will forgive them in the next life?

OR, will only the ones who are “honorable men” (DC 76:75) that will come forth?

Wasn't there some verse that said many were (or will be again) roasted in the depths of the Sloar that day?

Validating those who believe in a loving and merciful God? Well, maybe the "be marry" part, multiple times over.

:)

[lilered]

judgment comes after the resurrection, and between ressurrection and judgement there is no time for repentance. I like to think that resurrection is like the "probationary finish line" Once it happens there are no more chances.

However, the earlier question you asked if those that repented in the after life, if they could still inherit a celestial glory, and the answer is yes. But only depending to the opportunities they've had in their mortal state. There are those who in the next time will accept the gospel, but will not inherit a celestial glory because they had the chance to accept it here in mortality but didnt.

Just to make sure we are both saying the same thing. The repentance process for those in spirit prison has to take place before they are welcomed into Paradise. This then allows them (providing they meet certain other requirements), to proceed.

[Traveler]

So you are saying that the individuals who are in the first resurrection are already judged?

For your question and tone in your posts. First – I do not believe that the judgments of G-d are a bad thing. His judgments are a good thing for everybody. In fact I believe his judgments are the best that is possible for everyone.

Second. I believe the plan of G-d will provide that anyone that really desires to be with G-d will have his mercy available to them. Only those that wish to be will G-d will be with him and only those that really really want to be in Hell will end up there.

Somehow I cannot believe that a loving and compassionate G-d will force anyone into Hell while they cry with all their heart, might, mind and strength that G-d will laugh at them and enjoy watching them wither and suffer. I do believe that G-d desires all that will to come live with him – that he will help everyone that wants to be with him.

Is there anyone that believes otherwise?

The Traveler

[bytebear]

If there is no repentance after resurrection, why is Satan loosed for a time? What is the purpose if it cannot affect our salvation?

[Ezequiel]

Just to make sure we are both saying the same thing. The repentance process for those in spirit prison has to take place before they are welcomed into Paradise. This then allows them (providing they meet certain other requirements), to proceed.

Oh definetly. I realise my post was kind of rushed. I was on my way out! I hope I didnt confuse anyone.

But its clear that its necessary for both the living and the dead to repent. There is no celestial glory for anyone if there is no repentance. So yeah.. we are both on the same page

[Ezequiel]

I am curious about this resurrection numbering scheme. Wasn't Jesus' resurrection the first?

Yes He was. There would have been no ressurrection for anyone untill Jesus Christ Himself was ressurrected. there is a certain specific order to the resurrection, and Jesus being the first is refered to as "The Firstfruit of the Resurrection" as stated in Corinthians

"But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. "

(1Corinthians|15:23)

The scriptrues make mention of other resurrections that have happened since the one of our Lord. It is recorded in Matthew:

"And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose "

(Matthew|27:52)

and then we also know of Peter, James, and John the Baptist have also resurrected, and we know because they visited Joseh Smith to ordain him into the Priesthood. I feel like I need to learn more on the subject. I've heard some expand alot on this doctrinal key. If you think about it, it is the most important one!

Edited September 19, 2009 by Ezequiel

[Ezequiel]

If there is no repentance after resurrection, why is Satan loosed for a time? What is the purpose if it cannot affect our salvation?

I believe the people that will be born during the millenium will have to go through some kind of probation too.

[jadams_4040]

Just to make sure we are both saying the same thing. The repentance process for those in spirit prison has to take place before they are welcomed into Paradise. This then allows them (providing they meet certain other requirements), to proceed.

[Justice]

If you're curious about learing the difference between the First Resurrection and the Last Resurrection, check out the Bible Dictionary.

BIBLE DICTIONARY

Resurrection

The resurrection consists in the uniting of a spirit body with a body of flesh and bones, never again to be divided. The resurrection shall come to all, because of Christ’s victory over death. Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected on this earth (Acts 26: 23; 1 Cor. 15: 23; Col. 1: 18; Rev. 1: 5; cf. Matt. 27: 52-54). Others had been brought back from death, but were restored to mortality (Mark 5: 22-43; Luke 7: 11-17; John 11: 1-45), whereas a resurrection means to become immortal, without blood, yet with a body of flesh and bone.

All will not be raised to the same glory in the resurrection (1 Cor. 15: 39-42; D&C 76), nor will all come forth at the same time (see 1 Cor. 15: 23; Alma 40: 8). Christ was first; the righteous have precedence over the wicked, and come forth in the first resurrection, whereas the unrepentant sinners come forth in the last resurrection (cf. Rev. 20: 5-13).

My understanding is that part of the First Resurrection has already taken place. All those who accepted Christ before His resurrection were resurrected shortly after He was. The remainder of the First Resurrection will happen after He comes, or when He comes in the Second Coming. This part of the First Resurrection will be for all those accepted Christ after His resurrection. Some who accepted Christ after His resurrection have been resurrected, but I believe only those who were needed to restore the Gospel in the Latter-days.

Remember that during the Millennium people will be changed in the twinkling of and eye, and will pass from mortality to imortality instantly. So, there will be no need for those who live during the Millenneum to be resurrected, with the exception of those who reject Christ after the Millennium when Satan is released for a "short season."

Also offering some insight is the entry Hell:

BIBLE DICTIONARY

Hell

An English translation of the Hebrew word Shoel, hell signifies an abode of departed spirits and corresponds to the Greek Hades. In common speech it generally denotes the place of torment for the wicked, although it has been often held, both in the Jewish and the Christian churches, that Hades (meaning broadly the place of all departed spirits) consists of two parts, paradise and Gehenna, one the abode of the righteous and the other of the disobedient. “Gehenna,” or “Gehenna of fire,” is the Greek equivalent of the “valley of Hinnom,” a deep glen of Jerusalem where the idolatrous Jews offered their children to Moloch (2 Chr. 28: 3; 2 Chr. 33: 6; Jer. 7: 31; Jer. 19: 2-6). It was afterwards used as a place for burning the refuse of the city (2 Kgs. 23: 10), and in that way became symbolical of the place of torment (Matt. 5: 22, 29-30; Matt. 10: 28; Matt. 18: 9; Matt. 23: 15, 33; Mark 9: 43, 45, 47; Luke 12: 5; James 3: 6). Expressions about “hell-fire” are probably due to the impression produced on men’s minds by the sight of this ceaseless burning, and are figurative of the torment of those who willfully disobey God.

In latter-day revelation hell is spoken of in at least two senses. One is the temporary abode in the spirit world of those who were disobedient in this mortal life. It is between death and the resurrection, and persons who receive the telestial glory will abide there until the last resurrection (D&C 76: 84-85, 106), at which time they will go to the telestial glory. In this sense the Book of Mormon speaks of spiritual death as hell (2 Ne. 9: 10-12). Hell, as thus defined, will have an end, when all the captive spirits have paid the price of their sins and enter into a degree of glory after their resurrection. Statements about an everlasting hell (Hel. 6: 28; Moro. 8: 13) must be interpreted in their proper context in the light of D&C 19: 4-12, which defines eternal and endless punishment.

On the other hand, the devil and his angels, including the sons of perdition, are assigned to a place spoken of as a lake of fire - a figure of eternal anguish. This condition is sometimes called hell in the scriptures (2 Pet. 2: 4; D&C 29: 38; D&C 88: 113). This kind of hell, which is after the resurrection and judgment, is exclusively for the devil and his angels, and is not the same as that consisting only of the period between death and resurrection. The one group are redeemed from hell and inherit some degree of glory. The other receive no glory. They continue in spiritual darkness. For them the conditions of hell remain.

The Last Resurrection will take place last, after all other things have been done, after the Millennium. I believe this is a showing of mercy to those who have not repented yet, giving them until the very last possible instant to repent before they are "restored" to their physical body in their unrepentant state.

I don't know how many will repent while disembodied, but we have been told it is more difficult to do so without a body.

[Justice]

If there is no repentance after resurrection, why is Satan loosed for a time? What is the purpose if it cannot affect our salvation?

By "our," if you mean those who are alive on the earth, then yes. Remember that the reason why Satan is bound is because those who are alive no longer heed to his temptations, therefore he no longer has power to tempt the children of men.

He will be loosed because men will once again begin to follow the cycle of pride outlined in the Book of Mormon.

[ezeason]

If there is no repentance after resurrection, why is Satan loosed for a time? What is the purpose if it cannot affect our salvation?

If there is no repentance then there is no sin after resurrection???

If there is no sin, how do children of the millennium learn???

If there is sin, how do children of the millennium repent???

Satan is bound by righteousness and priesthood power. As a resurrected being, we will still make mistake to help us overcome personal weaknesses, learn and grow.

I understand that the final judgment is after the millennium.

The original question is if someone accepts all their proxy ordinances, they are sealed to the morning of the first resurrection. So, are the sinless???

Jim

[Justice]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by sinless, because there has been and only will be One who is sinless. Do you mean those who have been washed clean? Or, do you suppose that those who live during the Millennium will be sinless?

[Ezequiel]

The original question is if someone accepts all their proxy ordinances, they are sealed to the morning of the first resurrection. So, are the sinless???

Well, the sinless part of your question is a litle confusing. Anyone that receives a celestial glory will be redeemed from their sins. Or, their sins will be forgiven and forgotten. In that sense, they will be sinless - and only then they can be resurrected in the morning of the first resurrection.

The best example I can give you though, about someone who has received the ordinances by proxy and received a celestial glory is Alvin Smith, the brother of the prophet Joseph Smith. Alvin had died before the gospel was restored and so he was never baptised by the proper authority. But the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that he would also be redeemed and be received into the celestial kingdom. Take a look at these verses:

1 "The heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell.

5 I saw Father Adam and Abraham; and my father and my mother; my brother Alvin, that has long since slept;

6 And marveled how it was that he had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life before the Lord had set his hand to gather Israel the second time, and had not been baptized for the remission of sins.

7 Thus came the avoice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;

8 Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom "

(D&C 137|1, 5~8)

When the doctrine of Baptism for the Dead was revealed, I think Joseph was baptised in behalf of his brother Alvin. It was one of the first few proxy baptisms done in our dispensation. And its obvious that eventually all the other ordenances were done in his behalf as well. The point is - yes, they can be counted among the righteous and resurrect in the morning of the resurrections of the just, but alot is riding on the opportunities they had in mortality, and in their attitudes and desires. If it was not possible for the dead to be redeemed and be counted among the resurrection of the just, their wouldnt be much point in the proxy work, and the dead wouldnt have had an equal opportunity at exaltation.

I hope this answers your question. I tried my best to be direct without branching into other concepts and doctrines that are tied to this.

[ezeason]

Washed clean. I feel that there must be repeantance after resurrection, because we will continue making mistakes. I do not know if these mistake are sins or just mistakes.

What do you think about living sinless during the Millennium?

[rameumptom]

I think Alma 36 gives us a good idea of what happens. For those who have unrepented sins, they will suffer in Spirit Prison hell until they repent. As with Alma, once a complete and total surrender to Christ's atonement occurs, the person is rescued from hell. But not until then (see D&C 19).

Then the person is judged of his works in the flesh, and what he would have done had he received opportunities in the flesh that he may not have had.

God's purpose is not to keep people out of the Celestial Kingdom, but to give all mankind whatever chance possible to enter therein. So, if a person fully repents and becomes Christ-like, that person can enter into Celestial glory.

The key is in what the person has become. Once brought before the judgment bar of God, many will slink away, wishing the rocks would cover them up and protect them from God's glory (Alma 12, Mormon 9). They will not enjoy being in God's presence. Only those who have not only repented of their sins, but have BECOME Christ-like, will be able to endure God's full presence.